Single dining isn't sad

There was a time when eating alone in a restaurant was an exercise in public humiliation.

Waiting staff would look down their noses, other diners would cast glances of pity or disdain and the food took an age to arrive. But the rise of living singly and London's "cash rich, time poor" has turned the prejudice on its head.

According to Richard Harden, editor of the London food bible Harden's, restaurateurs now see the single diner as a critical part of their business and design their seating plans accordingly.

Mr Harden said: "Virtually every restaurant opening in London today is making a point of providing facilities for people who want to eat alone.

"You only need look at the rise of sushi bars to see the way things have changed. The food bar has been incorporated into most new restaurants to cater for the single trade. It has become a critical part of their business. The switch in attitudes is certainly noticeable. I have been eating alone to produce Harden's for 15 years and I no longer feel awkward or embarrassed."

The proportion of one-person households rose from 17 per cent to 31 per cent between 1971 and 2001. They are expected to make up more than 40 per cent of homes by 2010. Researchers Mintel revealed a third of singletons said the ability to eat what they liked when they liked was a great advantage of being alone.

Amanda Afiya, deputy editor of Caterer and Hotel Keeper, said: "Restaurateurs are trying to make the dining experience as informal as possible. It is no longer the case that a person sitting on their own is shunned."

Restaurant owners said the single dining trade has become essential. Franco Lucca, owner of the Lucca Trattoria in Camden Town, said: "The most noticeable-thing has been the rise in the numberof women who have a meal on their own. We get around three women a day."

Hua Xing of the Wok Inn in Euston said: "A year or so ago things were looking bad but we decided to encourage single diners and they are now a crucial part of what we do."